This hurricane season, Mother Nature has shown no mercy, unleashing a series of relentless tropical storms that have claimed over 240 lives and even reshaped part of Florida’s coastline. In their wake, communities have been left deprived of homes, power, and basic hygiene essentials. Fortunately, Potomac students have risen to meet the call for aid.
Moved by the devastation caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Potomac’s Intermediate School service learning team, led by 8th graders Maddy DenHerder and Lola Burrell, launched a project to provide hygiene kits for affected communities. The project builds on an ongoing partnership with Convoy of Hope, a disaster relief organization dedicated to helping communities recover from natural disasters.
In a recent interview, Maddy shared how the idea took shape. She said, “I had reached out to Ms. Webster to see if she and other Potomac community members had thought of doing anything in response to Hurricane Helene.” She explained that her motivation stemmed from her deep concern for a community close to her heart. “Every summer since I was in fourth grade, I have gone to sleepaway camp right outside of Asheville, North Carolina.” She brought her idea to the team meeting, and soon, the service learning team rallied around her initiative, deciding that collaborating with Convoy of Hope would be the most effective way to offer immediate support.
After consulting Convoy of Hope’s list of needs, the team chose to focus on hygiene kits. These kits contain essential supplies such as soap, toothpaste, and other personal care items to help families restore a sense of normalcy after the storm’s chaos. Lola outlined the project’s next steps: “Once all of the kits are collected, Potomac will send them to the Convoy of Hope headquarters. Then, Convoy of Hope will ship them to the areas affected by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina.” The collaborative efforts ensure that the impacted communities receive personal and meaningful support. “The supplies we’ve collected will help the people feel more secure after all of the havoc that Hurricane Helene has caused,” Lola emphasized.
Through the combined efforts of Potomac’s students, faculty, and families, the Potomac Intermediate School service learning team successfully assembled nearly 500 hygiene kits. Each kit, thoughtfully packed with essential items, is a gesture of support and service that underscores the strength and compassion of the Potomac community.
Maddy and Lola’s project marks the beginning of a valuable initiative, one that invites others to get involved in service. While Potomac continues to strengthen existing partnerships, the service learning leaders suggested other avenues for students to help with disaster aid outside of their initiative, such as through organizations like FEMA (The Federal Emergency Management Agency). The leaders urged the members of our community to contribute to disaster relief in any way we can. With reputable organizations like FEMA, donors are assured that every cent they give will go towards crucial medical aid and infrastructure repair. As Maddy explained, “FEMA helps victims of the most recent disasters and prepares people in the possible affected areas for the next hazard.”
Maddy and Lola shared a heartfelt message: if you’re considering donating to any organization, “Think about how grateful you would feel if you were in the recipients’ shoes.” Their project not only offers immediate relief but also serves as a reminder of the power we hold as a community to ease the burdens of those facing hardships. Maddy wisely reminded us, “A little goes a long way.”
